Compared to many of my other 99 goals, this one seems a little silly. After all, what impact will acquiring a table and chairs have on my personal growth? But, let's be honest, some things are just necessary. Ricky and I loved eating on the couch and everything, but it's a tad embarrassing when you have guests...so I was on the hunt for a table, not for my personal growth, but for my social development. And by "on the hunt," I mean "scavenging Craigslist." (As if you didn't already know!)
Most of the options down here in southwest Florida fall into two categories: the white-washed, pastel-cushioned, retirement-community style...
...or the metal-and-glass, I-don't-have-any-children-that-may-break-their-faces-on-this style.
Give or take a few rattan pieces (which probably could be used as makeshift rafts in a hurricane-induced pinch, I suppose), this was my selection.
"Why can't I just find a contemporary, wooden set that just happens to be under $100?!" I wailed.
If I believed in polytheism, I would say that the gods of craigslist and furniture conferenced with the patron saint of poor graduate students to deliver me this answer to my whining:
(The ray of light from the background is, appropriately, accompanied by a heavenly chorus.)
The first time I saw this set appear on craigslist, we didn't have the extra $85 that the ad requested, so I held back a few sniffles and promptly forgot about the whole thing. A week later, after our Virginia power company finally sent us our deposit back, I saw the ad AGAIN! It was, as Sara George would say, a Christmas Miracle. We immediately texted the seller, as all good craigslist business is done, and drove to his house to see the merchandise. Other than a little wear on the corners against a wall, there wasn't a mark of damage to be found! The set was oak, a year old, said the seller, and it really was in good condition...
...except for the fact that the set had been used for three children who had marked it as their territory with marker and Disney princess stamps. Tabletop, chairs, underside of table--you name it, and there was something drawn on it.
Luckily for me, because I really wanted this set, the gods of cleaning products invented the magic eraser.
Most of the options down here in southwest Florida fall into two categories: the white-washed, pastel-cushioned, retirement-community style...
...or the metal-and-glass, I-don't-have-any-children-that-may-break-their-faces-on-this style.
Give or take a few rattan pieces (which probably could be used as makeshift rafts in a hurricane-induced pinch, I suppose), this was my selection.
"Why can't I just find a contemporary, wooden set that just happens to be under $100?!" I wailed.
If I believed in polytheism, I would say that the gods of craigslist and furniture conferenced with the patron saint of poor graduate students to deliver me this answer to my whining:
The first time I saw this set appear on craigslist, we didn't have the extra $85 that the ad requested, so I held back a few sniffles and promptly forgot about the whole thing. A week later, after our Virginia power company finally sent us our deposit back, I saw the ad AGAIN! It was, as Sara George would say, a Christmas Miracle. We immediately texted the seller, as all good craigslist business is done, and drove to his house to see the merchandise. Other than a little wear on the corners against a wall, there wasn't a mark of damage to be found! The set was oak, a year old, said the seller, and it really was in good condition...
...except for the fact that the set had been used for three children who had marked it as their territory with marker and Disney princess stamps. Tabletop, chairs, underside of table--you name it, and there was something drawn on it.
Luckily for me, because I really wanted this set, the gods of cleaning products invented the magic eraser.
If that looks like Ricky dismantling the table to scrub off child markings, it's because it is.
Those erasers really are magic, though, and we scrubbed off every sign of a previous owner! The set looks brand new--just classic enough to be homey, and just contemporary enough for me to love it--and Ricky even picked out the no-slip seat cushions that he's pretty thrilled about. (As seen two pictures ago.) He has to be comfortable when he eats, I have learned, and that definitely includes no bare wood and no sliding seat cushions. I have no complaints.
I promise this is the last post for today--I've gotten a lot done in the past week, and it's nice to be making such quick progress on the list! Leave it to a big uprooting to make inspire big changes. #88, complete!
It's beautiful! What a great buy.
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